Editorial: Do you get the justice you pay for?

Former Gov. George Ryan has already been shown far more leniency in reporting for his prison sentence than the vast majority of convicted criminals.

On Thursday the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a plea from Ryan and co-defendant Larry Warner for a new hearing. Ryan and Warner claimed their chance for a fair trial was negated by problems with the jury.

By a 6-3 decision, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected that argument. And even the three judges who voted to grant a rehearing by the full appellate court noted, "the evidence of the defendant's guilt was overwhelming."

Ryan remains free not because that is how the system usually works, but because his connections have allowed him a stellar defense team. His position in life as a former governor, secretary of state and overall political powerbroker probably has not hurt either.

But even the best "dream team" of lawyers can only take a guilty man so far - O.J. excluded. And it appears that if Ryan is not at the end of the road, he's close enough to see the prison cell door.

Like a good lawyer would, his attorney former Gov. Jim Thompson vows not to give up until all legal paths are traveled. That leaves the U.S. Supreme Court. We certainly are not surprised that Ryan's case will be appealed to the highest court in the land.

We would, however, be shocked and a little angered if he were allowed to remain free while that appeal takes place.

On Friday, Ryan's trial judge, U.S. District Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer, set a date of Nov. 7 for Ryan to report to a federal prison in Duluth, Minn. to begin his 6 ∏-year racketeering and fraud sentence.

Thompson will no doubt use his best lawyering in an attempt to get a rare appearance before the U.S. Supreme Court for Ryan. But the push to keep Ryan on the street during the lengthy U.S. Supreme Court appeal process has less to do with the law at this point than it has to do with public relations.

"He is a 73-year-old grandfather whose life revolves around his 17 grandchildren," Ryan's attorneys said. Likewise on today's Op-Ed page, former Democratic Gov. Dan Walker argues that Ryan should receive leniency, suggesting the sentence should be reduced from 6 ∏ years to a mere 12 months.

"For God's sake, let him spend his remaining years quietly with his family," writes Walker, who himself spent 18 months in the same Duluth prison for savings and loan fraud he committed following his term as governor.

As the likelihood draws near that the elderly Ryan will actually be entering a federal prison cell, we certainly understand why so many people show compassion and feel badly for the man. It is truly a tragic situation - not as tragic or painful as the death of six children tied to a truck driver who received his license illegally by paying a bribe to Ryan's Secretary of State's office. But tragic nonetheless.

Still, many criminals have tragic, sad, compelling stories. Ryan has grandchildren he loves. Many criminals have children of their own. Some are pregnant and must give their babies up while in prison. None of that stops the legal system from imposing the just punishment.

If Ryan does not go to jail, it sends a loud and clear message. In America you get the justice you - or your friends - can pay for.

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